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Idaho State Police identify off-duty trooper who confronted gunman in Twin Falls In-N-Out shooting

Three people were killed and seven injured at an In-N-Out restaurant in Twin Falls, Idaho, on August 1, 2026, the Twin Falls Police Department said. Police identified the gunman as Chad Williams, 24, who is dead.

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 4, 2026, 8:30 p.m. ETUpdated Aug 15, 2026, 12:41 p.m. ET
Developing

This is a developing story. Details reported early are provisional and are frequently revised. Where sources disagree, both readings are given.

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The State Police have identified Specialist Steve McClain, an off-duty trooper assigned to the agency's Commercial Vehicle Safety program in , as the trooper who responded to the shooting at an in , , on August 1, 2026. people were killed and were injured, according to the . Police identified the gunman as , and said he opened fire on people with an AK-style rifle. Williams is dead. The incident is no longer active. Police said Williams opened fire on a Saturday afternoon. At a press conference the following day, Sunday, Police Chief Matthew Hicks described the scene as "one of the most chaotic instances a law enforcement officer can face in their career." Hicks said an off-duty police officer also fired at Williams. The State Police and the responded. McClain has spoken publicly about his actions. "My heart remains with the victims, their families, those who were injured, and everyone whose lives have been changed by this tragedy," he said. "Like many others who were there that day, I simply did what I believed needed to be done. Many people stepped forward to help complete strangers, often at great personal risk, and I am grateful for their courage and compassion." He added: "I am proud to serve alongside the men and women of the State Police, as well as those with the and other members of our law enforcement community," and, "I pray that the community can continue to heal and be strengthened through one another." Colonel Bill Gardiner, the director of the State Police, said of McClain: "Faced with an active threat, he willingly put himself in harm’s way to protect others. In doing so, he undoubtedly helped save lives...The public often sees only a single point in time, but moments such as these are built on years of preparation and a commitment to serving others. On August 1, Specialist McClain demonstrated exactly what that commitment looks like." Gardiner said "years of training, experience, discipline, and commitment were compressed into a matter of seconds," and that "countless ordinary people made extraordinary decisions that day." He added: "We recognize the courage shown by those who rendered aid, protected others, and responded in the face of unimaginable circumstances." Hicks, describing the response, said the off-duty trooper "bravely engages with the gunman, allowing others coming down the trail time to turn around and escape," and said: "Heroically and unbelievably, this trooper also assisted responding officers, leading them towards the last known direction of the shooter, and then took up a position at a key location to provide security until he could be relieved." The chief also credited a civilian, saying: "We want to take a moment and commend the actions of the off-duty officer and the citizen and their heroic action to stop this incident." He added: "We believe their actions helped drive the suspect away from the scene, preventing further casualties." The Daily Mail reported, citing Jordan Salinas, that Salinas pulled into the In-N-Out parking lot in on the Saturday afternoon, arriving around the same time Williams opened fire. Police have identified Austin James Scott, whom they described as a former police officer and former State trooper, as among those injured. Others identified as victims are Ashley Garibay, 23, of Stockton, California, described as an In-N-Out employee; Dale Schultz, 66, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Christopher Claunch, 59, of Hagerman, , an employee at Renaissance Ranch Recovery Center, whose name was released by his sister, Kimberly Castaneda, in an interview with KTLA. Available accounts do not specify which of the named victims other than Scott were among the dead and which were among the wounded. Accounts of Williams's death state that he turned the gun on himself and died from a gunshot wound. That account has not been attributed to officials.

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Revision history

  1. Version 515 Aug 2026, 16:41current

    Added Christopher Claunch, 59, named as one of those killed by his sister to KTLA; added reports that an In-N-Out employee was among the dead, Chief Hicks' commendation of the off-duty officer and a civilian, and the fuller range of sourcing on the suspect's death.

  2. Version 412 Aug 2026, 13:24

    Led with the better-supported injured figure of seven (ABC News, Officer.com) while keeping Idaho News 6's 10; added the date discrepancy in Officer.com's account and the conflicting descriptions of the suspect's death; removed a crisis helpline that was not in the fact set.

  3. Version 312 Aug 2026, 11:18

    Added headline and standfirst, and Idaho News 6's account of customers being at the newly opened restaurant when a gunman opened fire.

  4. Version 212 Aug 2026, 04:59current

    No new verified facts since v1; wording tightened and the "developing situation" framing replaced with a plain note that details may be revised.

  5. Version 212 Aug 2026, 11:13

    Added conflicting injury tolls (10 per Idaho News 6 vs 7 per ABC News), attributed the death toll to Twin Falls Police, added that the restaurant was newly opened with a crowded dining area, and added the Sunday press conference and further Gardiner quote.

  6. Version 112 Aug 2026, 03:38

    First published.

  7. Version 112 Aug 2026, 05:03

    First published.

  8. Version 112 Aug 2026, 05:09current

    First published.

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